5 Facts You Should Know About the U.S. Grading System

During the time that you’re a student, you’ll always want to keep track of your grades. But, depending on where you go, the grading systems can differ dramatically. Some countries rely on a number of systems, while others use a percentage system. In the U.S., you’re scored by letter.

Throughout the U.S., the A – F grading scale is pretty standard. Below, we’ll run through all of the 5 main facts you should know about the American grading system, and what to expect when you enrol in a Master’s programme in the U.S.

2. Each letter has a meaning or percentage behind it

Every time you finish an assignment, your instructor will put a letter at the top of it. That letter tells you how well (or poor) you did on the assignment.

From A to F, you go from great to… well, not so great. But they also have a percentage behind them. And the percentage typically shows how much of the questions on a test you answered correctly, or how many requirements you satisfied in the course. For instance:

A - is the highest grade you can receive on an assignment, and it's between 90% and 100%;

B - is still a pretty good grade! This is an above-average score, between 80% and 89%;

C - this is a grade that rests right in the middle. C is anywhere between 70% and 79%;

D - this is still a passing grade, and it's between 59% and 69%;

F - this is a failing grade. No, wait, don’t cry! You just need to study harder!

3. Every grade has a quality point.

The quality point is, confusingly, a quantity that your grade has, that way it can be calculated towards your GPA (which we’ll discuss in the next section). Every school will have a different scale for your letter grades, but, generally, an A always corresponds to either 4 or a multiple of 4.

You’ll want to check with your school administrators or registrars to know how the quality points match up at your university.

4. Your overall grades provide a Grade Point Average (GPA)

A Grade Point Average (GPA) is a hugely important number for students. Your GPA is used for everything: applying for scholarships, joining clubs, graduating, applying to other schools.

In theory, your GPA is supposed to show what kind of student you are. Have you passed most of your classes with flying colours? Then your GPA is probably closer to a 4.0. Are you an average student, with some great classes and some classes that were difficult? Your GPA is probably a 2.5 or 3. Did you start of difficult and then learn the ropes to improvement? Your GPA reflects that too!

Essentially, your GPA is calculated by taking the quality point from each grade (see the previous section), adding them together, and then dividing by the number of course credits you attempted. Whatever this number comes up is your GPA.

5. There is no “E” grade

Back in 1897, the letter E used to mean the same thing as F; that is, it used to be the lowest possible grade. However, parents and students found it easier to understand that “F” stood for “Failed” (rather than thinking that “E” could mean “excellent”).

Since the 19th Century, the letter F has caught to universally mean “Failed”, and has incidentally become the letter that every student fears.

Remember that grades aren’t everything

Students obsess about their grades; and if you ask me, they obsess too much. Yes, grades show how well you succeeded in your classes and how well you were evaluated. And. of course, if your grades or your test scores are low, then you should always try to improve them. This is how your teachers know that you understood the material and that they’ve done their jobs.

But your grades are not a reflection of what kind of student you are or how smart you are.

Check the available Masters and see which of the degrees match your background and interests. Start the application process by filling in your student profile. You will soon get contacted by one of our application counsellors who will assist you further. We’ll then apply on your behalf. Find out more about applying to a Master's degree with Studyportals.

Fingers crossed!

Written by Kevin Potter Share on

Kevin studied literature in the U.S., the U.K., and the Netherlands before starting his position at StudyPortals. He feels lucky to be writing and generating content for young students who are seeking options in international education.

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